Xujun Chen

Publications (2)3.28 Total impact

• Article: Evaluation of Anterior Vertebral Interbody Fusion Using Osteogenic Mesenchymal Stem Cells Transplanted in Collagen Sponge.

  Wencheng Yang, Youhai Dong, Yang Hong, Qian Guang, Xujun Chen
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  ABSTRACT: STUDY DESIGN:: The study used a rabbit model to achieve anterior vertebral interbody fusion using osteogenic mesenchymal stem cells (OMSCs) transplanted in collagen sponge. OBJECTIVE:: We investigated the effectiveness of graft material for anterior vertebral interbody fusion using a rabbit model by examining the OMSCs transplanted in collagen sponge. SUMMARYOF BACKGROUND DATA:: Anterior vertebral interbody fusion is commonly performed. Although autogenous bone graft remains the gold-standard fusion material, it requires a separate surgical procedure and is associated with significant short- and long- term morbidity. Recently, MSCs from bone marrow have been studied in various fields, including posterolateral spinal fusion. Thus, we hypothesized that cultured OMSCs transplanted in porous collagen sponge could be used successfully even in anterior vertebral interbody fusion. METHODS:: Forty mature male White Zealand rabbits (weigh, 3.5-4.5▒kg) were randomly allocated to receive one of the following graft materials: porous collagen sponge plus cultured OMSCs (group I); porous collagen sponge alone (group II); autogenous bone graft (group III); and nothing (group IV. All animals underwent anterior vertebral interbody fusion at the L4/L5 level. The lumbar spine was harvested en bloc, and the new bone formation and spinal fusion was evaluated using radiographic analysis, microcomputed tomography, manual palpation test, and histological examination at 8 and 12 weeks after surgery. RESULTS:: New bone formation and bony fusion was evident as early as 8 weeks in group I and III. And there was no statistically significant difference between at 8 and 12 weeks. At both time points, by microcomputed tomography and histological analysis, new bone formation was observed in both group I and III, fibrous tissue was observed and there was no new bone in both groups II and IV; by manual palpation test, bony fusion was observed in 40% (4/10) of rabbits in group I, 70% (7/10) of rabbits in group III, and in 0% (0/10) of rabbits in both group II and IV. CONCLUSION:: These findings suggest that MSCs that have been cultured with osteogenic differentiation medium and loaded with collagen sponge could induce bone formation and anterior vertebral interbody fusion. And the rabbit model we developed will be useful in evaluating the effects of graft materials for anterior vertebral interbody fusion. Further study is needed to determine the most appropriate carrier for OMSCs and the feasibility in the clinical setting.
  Journal of spinal disorders & techniques 05/2012; · 1.21 Impact Factor
• Article: Construction of artificial laminae of the vertebral arch using bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells transplanted in collagen sponge.

  Youhai Dong, Xujun Chen, Minghai Wang, Yang Hong
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  ABSTRACT: A rabbit laminectomy model was used to evaluate the efficacy of artificial laminae of vertebral arch using bone marrow-derived osteoblasts transplanted in a collagen sponge. The objective of this study is to reconstruct the artificial laminae of vertebral arch using bone marrow-derived osteoblasts transplanted in a collagen sponge on a rabbit model. Because the laminectomy and semilaminectomy can effectively decompress the spinal cord and expand the vertebral canal, they have been performed as routine surgical procedures. However, long-term follow-up results show that these procedures can lead to many serious complications. A variety of strategies have been used to solve these complications, but there are few experiments to determine the efficacy of reconstructing the laminae of vertebral arch using bone marrow-derived osteoblasts and the collagen sponge. The bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) from the bone marrow in the femur of 2-week-old rabbits were obtained by centrifugation and adhesion. The BMSCs were induced to differentiate into osteoblasts, which were transplanted into collagen sponge to construct the tissue-engineering bone. A total of 48 rabbits were randomly divided into three groups. Lumbar laminectomies were performed on all of the rabbits. Group A was the control. Groups B and C were implanted with collagen sponge and tissue-engineering bone, respectively. The artificial laminae of the vertebral arch were examined qualitatively by imageology and histomorphometry. The artificial laminae of the vertebral arch successfully formed 4 weeks after the operation in group C; computed tomography examination at 4 weeks showed that the new laminae of vertebral arch were formed, and that the vertebral canal was intact. The artificial laminae of the vertebral arch can be successfully constructed using tissue engineering of transplanted BMSCs.
  Spine 08/2011; 37(8):648-53. · 2.08 Impact Factor